YOUNG Dylan Nobes can finally play his favourite sport after an appeal to buy him a special wheelchair reached the £10,000 mark.

After months of fundraising, the 10-year-old from Stonehouse was thrilled to play Wheelchair Football in his new TDX SP powerchair.

The family of Dylan, who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, launched the Need for Speed fundraising appeal in October after he joined the Cheltenham Saracens FC wheelchair football team.

Dylan had been using an adult chair which was too big and didn’t give him the postural support he needed.

The TDX SP is customised for his size and posture and fitted with a front, rear and side bumper kit, designed to withstand the bumps of indoor football.

“It was such relief to have reached the £10,000 and Dylan is so happy with his new chair,” said his mum Beverly.

“He has so much more confidence now and he always has a huge smile on his face.

“We were amazed by the amount of support we got and just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated over the last few months.”

Dylan attends St Rose’s School in Stroud and lives with his mum and younger siblings Milly and Leo.

As part of the fundraising efforts, his grandmother Jackie Bishop, 54, and aunt Katie Bishop, 35, both shaved their heads, raising £600 in sponsors.

Milly, seven, also chipped in by spending three hours painting people's nails during a local Christmas Party in December.

Thanks to their efforts, the new specially-designed wheelchair has memory foam cushions, support straps and most importantly a comfortable headrest.

Playing wheelchair football helps Dylan to improve his coordination and social skills and helps him become more independent.

Jenny Rutter, head coach of the wheelchair football club said: "The support Dylan has received from his family, friends and the local community has been incredible.

“The power chair football club is so happy Dylan now has a power chair that he can sit in comfortably allowing him to join in the whole training session. It will mean he can improve his football skills and progress as a player."

Cheltenham Powerchair Football Club is the first and only of its kind in Gloucestershire. Training sessions are held on Sunday mornings 10:30am - 12:30pm.

The club is currently using six powerchairs on loan from the GB Wheelchair Football Association GB, but these need to be returned in June.

They are aiming to raise around £50k to purchase ten powerchairs and all necessary sporting equipment needed for players.

For more information, contact head coach, Jenny Rutter at jenny@cspfc.co.uk or Chairman, Brian Dix at brian@cspfc.co.uk